Examples of CONTRARY

<the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love>

As kiss-and-tell books go, “Opening Arguments” by Jeffrey Toobin has few, if any, deep and sensuous secrets to reveal—this despite many news stories to the —contrary. —Nina Totenberg, New York Times Book Review, March 31, 1991

He was not, despite the mythology he and his press agents so assiduously manufactured, a risk taker. On the contrary, he was more often timid to the point of fecklessness. —Christopher Buckley, New York Times Book Review, 4 Nov. 1990

Other men—a surprising number of them—do not feel anger or blame. On the contrary, they feel a strong blood tie to their fathers, and to them the discipline was a minor thing. —Robert Bly, Iron John, 1990

“Is this the girl who has moved into Villa Villekulla?” asked one of the policemen. “Quite the contrary,” said Pippi. “This is a tiny little auntie who lives on the third floor at the other end of the town.” —Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking, (1950) 1978

2contrary

Full Definition of CONTRARY

1

: being so different as to be at opposite extremes :opposite<come to the contrary conclusion><went off in contrary directions>; also: being opposite to or in conflict with each other <contrary viewpoints>

2

: being not in conformity with what is usual or expected <actions contrary to company policy><contrary evidence>

Kicking Wolf was a very contrary man—he did as he pleased. —Larry McMurtry, Dead Man's Walk, 1995

At sunrise 4 January she set sail, and the homeward passage began. Two days later, Columbus sighted Pinta sailing in a contrary direction … —Samuel Eliot Morison, The European Discovery of America, 1974

Mistress Mary got up from the log at once. She knew she felt contrary again, and obstinate, and she did not care at all. —Frances Hodgson, The Secret Garden, 1911